I don't know if anyone is interested but I bought a microfilm reader and several rolls of Crawford County Newspaper Microfilm and I have really been enjoying reading about the area while searching for my ancestors. The following is something I found interesting. January 24, 1849 Arkansas Intelligencer Van Buren, Crawford County,AR HO! FOR CALIFORNIA Persons intending to go by overland to California, in the spring, via Arkansas, must be in VAN BUREN, on or before the 1st of April next, as the company forming here will leave at that date. It is expected of every emigrant to be provied as follows: 100 lbs bacon, 180 bs. flour, 30 lbs. coffee, _ lbs. sugar, 15 lbs salt, with a proportionable quanity of small stores. One four-horse wagon, hauled by mules, horses or oxen, the former being preferable will carry the provisions and baggage for a mess of five persons. Each mess must be furnished with a good tent and the necessary coking utensils, as well as 1 axe, 1 hand-saw, 1 auger, 1 drawing knife, 1 spade, and 5 lbs. nails and spikes. Each male emigrant of 18 years and over must be furnished with a good rifle,or shot gun and the necessary quanity of ammunition. Each mess should take along surplus mules or oxen, to supply losses in the teams. It is expected that when the party is organized each one will bear a proportionalbe part of the cost of a chest of medicine. A doctor will accompany the party. Emigrants can supply themselvers with all the necessary provisions, arms, tools, etc, for the expedition, in this cityh, at the most reasonable rates. On the 1st of April, a Captain and three Lieutenants will be elected, to whom will be assigned the control of the movements of the party, until its arrival in California. For further information, address either of the following named gentlemen, appointed for that purpose: Eli Bell, H.W. Bell, Van Buren, G.S Dyer, Belmont, Dr. J. Foresman, Pleasant Hill, Ark. I can just imagine what all I am about to read as the time for departure approaches! Fran Warren, Crawford County, AR